DUNSTON'S BACK IMPROVING

Alan SolomonCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Mike Harkey is back. Ryne Sandberg is maybe two weeks away.

Shawon Dunston?

"A little of the pain has gone away," Dunston said Sunday from his California home, where he is continuing his rehabilitation. He said he can't really tell how much better he is until he tests his back using baseball skills, and those tests are expected in Chicago in early May, when the Cubs return from their next road trip.

"I like what I'm doing, my back is feeling better, and being an everyday person is getting much easier for me," Dunston said. "And that is progress."

He said he's been keeping up with the team despite not having WGN on his cable.

"(Jose) Vizcaino's doing a real good job," Dunston said. "And tell Rey (Sanchez) he's doing a great job and don't be afraid to get some hits, and tell him not to worry about anything and lead us to a pennant."

General Manager Larry Himes said Dunston could go to an extended spring training in Arizona if his May checkup shows he can handle it.

- More progress: Sandberg, who hit off a tee for the third straight day Sunday, says he hopes to hit against live pitching-even if they are only light tosses-as early as Monday. He continues to take ground balls, and his left hand still is a little tender.

When he does come back, what will be the toughest thing?

"A slider on the black," Sandberg said.

- Meanwhile: After his first 11 games, Vizcaino is batting .282 with two doubles, a homer and nine runs batted in.

After 11 games last year, Sandberg was batting .244 with one double, one triple, one homer and seven runs batted in.

Stuff: Candy Maldonado credited a pregame video session with hitting coordinator Billy Williams for the stance that generated Sunday's homer. . . . Matt Walbeck on his first homer: "It was a thrill. Being here at Wrigley, my juices were definitely flowing when I was rounding those bases." . . . Mark Grace, his hitting streak stopped at nine Saturday, was beardless Sunday.